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Manchu Princess, Japanese Spy: The Story of Kawashima Yoshiko, the Cross-Dressing Spy Who Commanded Her Own Army
Book
Aisin Gioro Xianyu (1907-1948) was the fourteenth daughter of a Manchu prince and a legendary figure...
Make: Technology on Your Time: Volume 35
Book
Danger! Danger! The very word puts us on notice. As it is designed to do. Don't touch that. Peril...
Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy
Book
New York Times Bestseller 'Fascinating and deeply disturbing' - Yuval Noah Harari, Guardian Books of...
Michael Foreman: An Illustrated Life
Book
"One of my earliest memories is lying on the floor in front of the kitchen fire, drawing..." Michael...
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Such a Quiet Place in Books
Jul 20, 2021
The accused killer returns home. Is she guilty? If not, who is?
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
The setting for Megan Miranda's latest thriller, Such a Quiet Place, is Hollow's Edge, a picture-perfect, idyllic neighborhood where neighbors become family. That is until the Truetts were killed. Now, a year and a half later, new evidence emerges, and the convicted killer returns home to Hollow's Edge. Once a warm and open community now finds neighbors locking their doors, spying out their windows, and hiding secrets from each other. Did the jury get it right? Was Ruby guilty? If so, what should they do? If not, the killer is hiding among them.
Such a Quiet Place is a suspenseful roller coaster from beginning to end. She kept me guessing until the big reveal.
Megan Miranda's suspenseful writing immediately made her an author on my "I have to read" list. Her most well-known novel is All the Missing Girls, with a 3.77 rating and more than 146,000 reviews. The Last Guest House was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club selection, and my review can be found at https://philomathinphila.com/last-house-guest-by-megan-miranda.
I first found her through her YA novels and know, whichever age group she is writing for, it will be a story to remember. The ratings for her novel average 3.72 on Goodreads.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com.
The setting for Megan Miranda's latest thriller, Such a Quiet Place, is Hollow's Edge, a picture-perfect, idyllic neighborhood where neighbors become family. That is until the Truetts were killed. Now, a year and a half later, new evidence emerges, and the convicted killer returns home to Hollow's Edge. Once a warm and open community now finds neighbors locking their doors, spying out their windows, and hiding secrets from each other. Did the jury get it right? Was Ruby guilty? If so, what should they do? If not, the killer is hiding among them.
Such a Quiet Place is a suspenseful roller coaster from beginning to end. She kept me guessing until the big reveal.
Megan Miranda's suspenseful writing immediately made her an author on my "I have to read" list. Her most well-known novel is All the Missing Girls, with a 3.77 rating and more than 146,000 reviews. The Last Guest House was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club selection, and my review can be found at https://philomathinphila.com/last-house-guest-by-megan-miranda.
I first found her through her YA novels and know, whichever age group she is writing for, it will be a story to remember. The ratings for her novel average 3.72 on Goodreads.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com.
Nancy Whang recommended Abbey Road by The Beatles in Music (curated)
Christine A. (965 KP) rated The Wife in Books
Sep 9, 2020
Their 10th wedding anniversary should be something to celebrate. Why does Zoe only feel dread?
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
After reading the synopsis of The Wife by Shalini Boland, I knew I wanted to read it. A bride faints on her wedding day while getting ready. She wakes to a massive headache and no memory of fainting or what led up to it. Everyone said she must have been overcome with emotion, but nothing felt right afterward. Fast forward ten years and Zoe is planning an anniversary party. As the anniversary draws closer, the people around her are acting strangely. If she finds out what happened during the missing time, will it ruin the life she built?
I know, right? Sound good, doesn't it? Well, when I started reading it, I was disappointed. I thought I had everything figured out but was still enjoying the story. Then, wait, what? The story becomes intriguing and pulls you in and does not let go. It is not the fluffy and straightforward story I thought it was. It is a thriller worth reading.
Although Boland herself says she writes "suspense thrillers and dark adventures," I had not read any of her work previously. Her novels are rated around four stars on Goodreads, and I will be reading more of her work soon.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 9/9/20.
After reading the synopsis of The Wife by Shalini Boland, I knew I wanted to read it. A bride faints on her wedding day while getting ready. She wakes to a massive headache and no memory of fainting or what led up to it. Everyone said she must have been overcome with emotion, but nothing felt right afterward. Fast forward ten years and Zoe is planning an anniversary party. As the anniversary draws closer, the people around her are acting strangely. If she finds out what happened during the missing time, will it ruin the life she built?
I know, right? Sound good, doesn't it? Well, when I started reading it, I was disappointed. I thought I had everything figured out but was still enjoying the story. Then, wait, what? The story becomes intriguing and pulls you in and does not let go. It is not the fluffy and straightforward story I thought it was. It is a thriller worth reading.
Although Boland herself says she writes "suspense thrillers and dark adventures," I had not read any of her work previously. Her novels are rated around four stars on Goodreads, and I will be reading more of her work soon.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 9/9/20.
Sarah Blythe (22 KP) rated Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) in Movies
Aug 24, 2019
Characterisation (2 more)
Theming
Atmosphere
Continuity (1 more)
World canon
It's the Wizarding World, but not quite as we know it...
Contains spoilers, click to show
OK. So. I loved this movie as a continuation of the fantastic beasts universe. I think that the cast does an amazing job of portraying the characters, and I honestly can't imagine anyone other than Eddie Redmayne playing Newt. The atmosphere of the whole thing was built up really well, and the American and European Wizarding worlds that have been created are visually stunning and full of depth.
However, I have a few niggles. I have some minor misgivings about the idea of Jude Law as Dumbledore, not because I dont think he'll do a good job, but because his Dumbledore is so far removed from the one we know and love. I mean, seriously, how do you get from suits to full blown robes? They're opposite ends of the style scale! I think my biggest issue with the whole thing is the lack of continuity from the potter series. I don't understand the back story of Nagini, I want to know what happened between Albus and Grindelwald, and don't get me started on the revelation at the end?!? There was a whole story arc about a hidden Dumbledore child in the HP book series (I love Ariana) and yet here we are, supposed to believe there's another one! I just don't get it!
Overall it's a great film as part of the Fantastic Beasts franchise, and as part of the Wizarding World, but let's not link it too closely to the events of Harry Potter. If we try to work out that labyrinth, I fear all our brains may just explode!
However, I have a few niggles. I have some minor misgivings about the idea of Jude Law as Dumbledore, not because I dont think he'll do a good job, but because his Dumbledore is so far removed from the one we know and love. I mean, seriously, how do you get from suits to full blown robes? They're opposite ends of the style scale! I think my biggest issue with the whole thing is the lack of continuity from the potter series. I don't understand the back story of Nagini, I want to know what happened between Albus and Grindelwald, and don't get me started on the revelation at the end?!? There was a whole story arc about a hidden Dumbledore child in the HP book series (I love Ariana) and yet here we are, supposed to believe there's another one! I just don't get it!
Overall it's a great film as part of the Fantastic Beasts franchise, and as part of the Wizarding World, but let's not link it too closely to the events of Harry Potter. If we try to work out that labyrinth, I fear all our brains may just explode!
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Expeditionary Force: Book 1 - Columbus Day in Books
Aug 10, 2020
Witty narrative of when Earth picked the wrong side of the war to join
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, The Martian by Andy Weir, and the movie Independence Day all have one important aspect in common - humor. Without the levity, all three would be boring and forgotten works left in a drawer somewhere. Reading the humorous description of the first book in Craig Alanson's Expeditionary Force series, Columbus Day, I knew I had to read it and wondered why I had not read it before now.
The Ruhar attacks the world on, you guessed it, Columbus Day. We thought we were saved when the Kristang flew in and attacked the Ruhar. We else were we to do but pick the side of the guys who saved us. As we quickly learn, we made the wrong move.
Having the narrator of The Maritan, R.C. Bray, narrate Columbus Day was a stroke of genius. He again proves he can skillfully deliver snarky, "American" humor while making the end of the world as we know no laughing matter.
To date, there are ten books in the series, but Alanson ended it at a point in the story Columbus Day could work as a stand-alone novel, although readers would be remiss in not continuing,
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 8/10/20.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, The Martian by Andy Weir, and the movie Independence Day all have one important aspect in common - humor. Without the levity, all three would be boring and forgotten works left in a drawer somewhere. Reading the humorous description of the first book in Craig Alanson's Expeditionary Force series, Columbus Day, I knew I had to read it and wondered why I had not read it before now.
The Ruhar attacks the world on, you guessed it, Columbus Day. We thought we were saved when the Kristang flew in and attacked the Ruhar. We else were we to do but pick the side of the guys who saved us. As we quickly learn, we made the wrong move.
Having the narrator of The Maritan, R.C. Bray, narrate Columbus Day was a stroke of genius. He again proves he can skillfully deliver snarky, "American" humor while making the end of the world as we know no laughing matter.
To date, there are ten books in the series, but Alanson ended it at a point in the story Columbus Day could work as a stand-alone novel, although readers would be remiss in not continuing,
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 8/10/20.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Mayhem in Books
Aug 25, 2020
YA feminist mash-up inspired by The Lost Boys and The Craft.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
A YA feminist mash-up inspired by The Lost Boys and The Craft. That's the first line of the description of Mayhem by Estelle Laure, which meant it was a book I just had to read. It was later changed to describe it as The Lost Boys meets Wilder Girls. I am glad I saw the earlier description because I probably would not have been so eager to read it.
When Mayhem Brayburn and her mom flee from an abusive stepfather/husband and return to Roxy's family home, Mayhem hopes to discover her mother's secrets and more about herself. What she learns is magic runs through the female lineage in her family, and the Brayburn women are responsible for keeping the town safe. Now, it is her generation, Mayhem and the kids who live with the Brayburns, to find the serial killer responsible for the missing girls.
Many reviewers rated the book low because it resembles The Lost Boys. Mayhem does pay homage to it. The Frog brothers make an appearance, and a few famous lines from the movie are included. However, Mayhem stands on its own.
Mayhem contains adult themes including rape and should be read by older YA readers.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 7/15/20 and updated on 8/24/20.
A YA feminist mash-up inspired by The Lost Boys and The Craft. That's the first line of the description of Mayhem by Estelle Laure, which meant it was a book I just had to read. It was later changed to describe it as The Lost Boys meets Wilder Girls. I am glad I saw the earlier description because I probably would not have been so eager to read it.
When Mayhem Brayburn and her mom flee from an abusive stepfather/husband and return to Roxy's family home, Mayhem hopes to discover her mother's secrets and more about herself. What she learns is magic runs through the female lineage in her family, and the Brayburn women are responsible for keeping the town safe. Now, it is her generation, Mayhem and the kids who live with the Brayburns, to find the serial killer responsible for the missing girls.
Many reviewers rated the book low because it resembles The Lost Boys. Mayhem does pay homage to it. The Frog brothers make an appearance, and a few famous lines from the movie are included. However, Mayhem stands on its own.
Mayhem contains adult themes including rape and should be read by older YA readers.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 7/15/20 and updated on 8/24/20.